Getting into 3D Printing - SnapMaker U1

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  bobbieb on 06/09/2025 - 16:22

  I signed up for the U1 earlybird on impulse. I'm still not sure that I'll go through with it though.

  The initial (mostly sponsored) reviews seem positive, but the price does seem a little too good to be true.

  If it would be your first 3D printer, there are some very good, very cheap entry-level printers out there. My suggestion would be grab one of the established brands with a good supply of parts (original and aliexpress cheapies)… Ultimately, these are mechanical devices. You'll need to very quickly get used to tearing it apart to varying degrees as part of everyday use (jams, clogs, upgrades, maintence…) I'm not sure that I would have been as comfortable learning on a more expensive device.

  • 

    Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/09/2025 - 16:29

    Exactly I’ve only had a few minor hiccups so far with my a1 and a1m - but luckily there’s so much info on YouTube and Reddit it was very easy to solve (and in some cases more well documented than what was offered by manufacturer)

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    buckethat on 06/09/2025 - 16:53

    Oh so you're not locked in by backing it? I'm not super familiar with how backing Kickstarter works. I had assumed that I'd just have to pay the USD799 from the get-go.

    I'm kind of the type that would prefer to just get something good from the get go so I dont regret not paying more for something better in the first place.. Though with this, its a bit more risky given its not even a product out in the market yet, but good point though.

    What would you recommend to someone looking to get into this? Assuming the A1?

    • 

      bobbieb on 06/09/2025 - 18:22

      +1

      Oh so you're not locked in by backing it? I'm not super familiar with how backing Kickstarter works. I had assumed that I'd just have to pay the USD799 from the get-go

      You don't get charged until your batch/tranche of the offer ships. You can cancel your 'pledge' at any time.

      I'm kind of the type that would prefer to just get something good from the get go so I dont regret not paying more for something better in the first place.

      It's just my opinion, but I wouldn't worry. If you end up enjoying and getting into 3d printing, then there's plenty of modding, upgrading, etc you can do on the entry level models that you're unlikely to regret it. Plus, one printer won't be enough :P

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  DashCam AKA Rolts on 06/09/2025 - 17:34

  I'd avoid Kickstarter 3D printer campaigns.

  I backed the Tiko Unibody 3D printer. The project team became evasive when questioned about their software and hardware. I was refunded to stop me asking questions of the project. It collapsed. Over 16,500 people backed the project – with pledges coming in close to $3 million. A handful received printers, but the software was cloud based and when the project collapsed, so did the software, rendering the printers useless.

  Kickstarter were useless. I spent time submitting concerns about the project before its collapse, but only received cookie-cutter responses that did not address my concerns and ignored points I'd raised. $3 million missing, no accountability for the creators, Kickstarter not interested in protecting supporters of projects, from dodgy creators.

  Have a read before backing a Kickstarter 3D Printer:
  https://all3dp.com/4/3d-printing-kickstarter-the-good-the-ba…
  https://www.3dprintingjournal.com/p/peachy-printer-anniversa…

  • 

    buckethat on 06/09/2025 - 22:01

    Both of the articles you linked had a similar message.. in that the early days was the wild wild west but now its full of established chinese manufacturers with good track records, using it primarily as part of their marketing campaign and effectively as a pre-ordering system.

    Seems like something like the U1 is a bit different from Tiko - from my limited research it seems like SnapMaker is a pretty established manufacturer/brand with a couple of successful project behind them. They've also got an actual working product that is currently being tested and reviewed by people in the community.

    Your concern is fair enough though given your personal experience. I'll look more into the manufacturer before I decide to back it if I do.

    Thanks :)

  • 

    Solrak on 07/09/2025 - 12:12

    +1

    Wasn't the Bambu Labs X1C originally a Kickstarter project? That one turned out pretty well in the end….
    Having said that there are definitely risks with backing any Kickstarter project. Rule of thumb is to back an already established company with a track record of bringing products to market successfully.

    I'd say the Snapmaker is a pretty safe bet. I'm waiting for the Bambu Labs H2C or else I would have back the Snapmaker project myself.

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  Far Cough on 06/09/2025 - 17:53

  i need to scan and print something over 60cm

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  warkolm on 07/09/2025 - 08:01

  +3

  if you're just getting started then go an a1, it's not huge, but neither is the price

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  Haulien on 07/09/2025 - 09:22

  +2

  How much do you feel like tinkering?

  I'm 50/50 on the U1. If they execute it well, it'll be a game changer. Tool changer for an affordable price.

  On the other hand, Snapmaker printers of the past weren't exactly dependable machines. So I hope they really spend the time to polish the experience, because the accessible toolchanger is riding on their shoulders.

  • 

    buckethat on 07/09/2025 - 17:49

    How much do you feel like tinkering?

    I suppose if by tinkering you mean, a lot of fiddling around to make it work, I suppose I'd rather something that just works out of the box, since this is all rather new to me.